CN101945708A - Air induction showerhead ball joint - Google Patents

Abstract

A ball joint connector (10) is provided for linking a showerhead (24) to a water supply pipe (12). The connector (10) has an internal venturi (28, 30, 32) that draws air into the connector (10) to aerate water being provided to the showerhead (24). An insert (36) such as a check valve is provided in a radial air inlet (34) connected to the venturi (28, 30, 32). The insert (36) prevents spraying or leaking out the air inlet (34), while reducing noise associated with the air induction.

Description

Suction shower head ball joint

Cross References to Related Applications

not applicable.

Statement Regarding Federally Funded Research/Development

not applicable.

technical field

The present invention relates to ball joints for shower heads, and more particularly to the provision of an air suction system associated with such ball joints to increase the perceived water volume.

Background technique

Primarily for reasons of water conservation, the flow rate to conventional shower heads is limited. However, this can lead to the consumer feeling that the shower is not as powerful as desired.

As with many faucets and shower heads, it is known that bubbling a stream of water can make a given amount of water appear bulkier and more voluminous. Therefore, aeration systems are often attached to the outlet of the faucet spout, and are sometimes incorporated into the shower head. See, eg, US Patents 6,471,141 and 6,796,518 and US Patent Application Publications 2004/0199995 and 2007/0158470.

However, associating the aeration system with the shower head itself or the faucet spout detracts from the aesthetics and in some cases adds to the complexity of product manufacturing. One such bubbling low-flow showerhead accomplishes this function through various movable parts. Furthermore, combining an aeration system with the showerhead itself does not provide a solution for aerating the millions of existing showerheads that do not have this capability.

Therefore, attempts have been made to place the aeration system on a separate ball joint upstream of the shower head, which would be obscured by the shower head. See, eg, US Patents 5,111,994, 5,154,355, and 6,260,273 and US Patent Application Publication 2007/0193153. The approach used in these designs is to have a radial air inlet at the ball joint and combine it with a venturi channel to introduce air into the water flow in the joint. In this case, as water flows through the throat of the venturi, the velocity of the water increases and the pressure decreases. The resulting negative pressure draws in ambient air through radial inlets. The air then mixes with the water to create a sparkling water source.

These ball joint related designs are not without their own drawbacks. For example, its air intake port is nothing more than an uncovered hole formed in the water supply pipe. This results in water potentially leaking back out of the air intake, creating a path for wasted water, regurgitation, or spraying of water into the main bathing area. Furthermore, this type of design can generate undesirable noises such as howling or roaring.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improved ways of lathering showerhead water while avoiding these problems.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides a joint connector for connecting a water source to a shower head. The joint connector has a housing having an inlet portion at one end adapted to be connected to a water supply pipe, an outlet portion at an opposite end adapted to receive a shower head, and a central portion between the inlet and outlet portions. There is a passage extending axially through the housing from the inlet portion, through the center portion, and through the outlet portion. The channel is adapted to transport water therein, and the portion of the channel at the center forms a venturi.

There is also an air inlet port located in the central portion and extending radially from the channel to the outer wall of the housing, adapted to allow air to enter the housing through the air inlet port. Additionally, inserts are located within the intake ports (eg, to provide unidirectional flow and/or reduce noise).

In a preferred form of the invention, the insert is in the form of a check valve which allows air to flow into the channel through the inlet port, while restricting backflow from the channel through the inlet port. One such check valve is the resilient duckbill check valve.

Surprisingly, it was found that this type of check valve greatly reduces joint-related noise while still controlling backflow through the intake port. A particularly desirable configuration for the intersection between the inlet and the channel is the throat of the venturi. Alternatively, the noise can be reduced by using a cylinder/sleeve form insert without the check valve function.

Various modifications are also possible, such as providing the inlet part with a flat area on its upper outer surface that extends to the inlet port (to provide a hidden place for the insert); providing the inlet part with internal threads (to facilitate connection to water supply pipe); and providing a substantially spherical outer portion for the outlet portion (to facilitate mounting of the shower head for substantially universal pivoting).

Another aspect of the present invention provides a shower head mounted on such a joint connector.

In some forms, the channel may have a conically narrowing portion in the central portion. A narrowed cylindrical portion is then formed to define the venturi throat. Water flowing through the channel acquires a higher velocity through the throat than upstream of the throat. The downstream channel in the larynx then expands dramatically. This creates a pressure drop across the throat causing air to be drawn through the insert. The air mixes with the water supply to create a bubbling stream of water.

The present invention provides several advantages as will be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings. First, because air suction occurs at the ball joint, millions of existing showerheads can be retrofitted with such ball joints rather than those currently used. Therefore, foaming can be provided for it.

Plus, no water is sprayed or leaked backwards from the intake ports. Furthermore, the intake ports and associated inserts are substantially hidden from the outside.

In addition, the problem of noise caused by suction is overcome. Moreover, all of these advantages can be obtained without substantially increasing the cost of a standard ball joint.

These and other advantages are obtained by the present invention. While preferred embodiments are described below, the claims should be considered to determine the full scope of the invention.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view of a joint connector connecting a water supply pipe and a shower head in the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the joint connector shown in Figure 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 shown in FIG. 1 .

Detailed ways

The ball joint connector 10 is shown threaded onto a conventional water supply line 12 . The ball joint connector 10 has a generally tubular outer housing with an inlet portion 14 and a generally spherical outlet portion 16 . The intermediate portion between the inlet section 14 and the outlet section 16 houses the internal venturi and inlet port 34 and the axially extending passage 18 .

The channel inlet 20 is located at the upstream end of the ball joint connector 10 and the channel outlet 22 is located at the opposite downstream end. When installed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the channel 18 conveys water from the water supply line 12 to a conventional shower head 24 .

The ball joint connector 10 (except for the insert 40) is preferably made of metal such as brass. Standard internal threads 26 are provided in the channel inlet 20 and are designed to threadably engage the water supply line 12 . The shower head 24 may be movably secured to the outlet portion 16 for easy rotation in a known manner (compare the mounting system of US Patent 6,796,518).

Channel 18 includes a venturi inflow portion 28 that provides a taper, preferably a cone, to accelerate flow through a venturi throat 30 . Downstream of the venturi throat 30, the channel 18 has a venturi outflow cone 32 to expand the flow outward. Channel 18 may also include a pocket within which a flow regulator and/or strainer may be placed. Channel 18 may also include a pocket within which a flow regulator and/or strainer may be placed.

As water flows through channel 18, the reduction provided by venturi inflow cone 28, throat 30 and outflow cone 32 causes the velocity of the water to increase and the pressure to decrease. This phenomenon is well known in the art and is commonly referred to as Bernoulli's principle.

The ball joint connector 10 has a radially extending inlet port 34 . A resilient insert in the form of a duckbill check valve 36 is located within the intake port 34 . As water rushes through the ball joint connector 10, the pressure of the water in the venturi throat 30 decreases below the pressure of the ambient air. Due to the resulting pressure differential, ambient air is drawn into channel 18 through inlet port 34 and is drawn or mixed into the flow of water contained in channel 18 .

The air inlet port 34 is shown extending transversely between the water supply channel 18 and the flat outer upper surface portion 38 of the ball joint connector 10 . Alternatively, the intake port 34 may extend at an acute angle. The flat outer upper surface portion 38 also facilitates the use of pipe wrench. The inlet end 46 of the check valve 36 is flush with the flat outer upper surface portion 38 when installed as shown in FIG. 3 .

Still referring to FIG. 3 , an intake port 34 joins passage 18 at venturi throat 30 . Alternatively, the access point for the intake port 34 may be formed elsewhere in the channel 18 .

In the illustrated embodiment, a resilient check valve 36 is press fit into the intake port 34 and air flows through the intake port 34 into the passage 18 . Check valve 36 allows air to flow into channel 18 while preventing water (or air) from flowing out of channel 18 . As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the preferred check valve design is often referred to as a "duckbill" valve because its outlet end 42 has a pair of lips 44 that taper like a duckbill.

The check valve 36 has a cylindrical flange at its inlet end 46 configured to fit properly within the intake port 34 . Central bore 48 extends completely through check valve 36 . Air drawn into the holes 48 acts to cause the flexible, tapered lips 44 to separate, thereby allowing air to flow into the channel 18 . Pressure applied to the outlet 42 of the check valve 36 serves to urge the lip 44 to close and prevent backflow through the check valve 36 .

When the shower is initially turned on, the check valve 36 prevents an initial surge of water from flowing out of the intake port 34 . Similarly, the potential outflow path provided by the inlet port 34 is blocked by the one-way nature of the check valve 36 if the vacuum induced by the venturi is broken by, for example, air trapped in the line.

Surprisingly, the check valve 36 also serves to substantially reduce the noise level. If the ball joint connector is used without an insert such as the check valve 36, a harsh whistling or roaring noise is often produced. The noise level measured outside the intake port 34 was as high as 95 decibels.

However, it has been found that by placing a small sleeve-like insert within the inlet port 34, the noise emitted by the ball joint connector 10 can be greatly reduced. This is thought to be because the flexible sleeve absorbs and confines sound waves while still allowing air to pass through.

It should be understood that the foregoing describes only preferred embodiments of the invention. However, many modifications and variations to the described preferred embodiment will readily occur to those skilled in the art, which are also within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the insert could be a rubber cylindrical sleeve instead of a rubber or other resilient check valve. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited to the described embodiments. In order to determine the full scope of the invention, reference should be made to the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention provides a ball joint type connector for connecting a shower head to a water supply pipe, wherein the connector provides a bubbler function, reduces noise and waste of water.

Claims (11)

1. A joint connector for connecting a water source to a shower head, said joint connector comprising: a housing having an inlet portion at one end adapted to be connected to a water supply pipe, an outlet portion at an opposite end adapted to receive said shower head, and a central portion between said inlet portion and said outlet portion ; a channel extending axially through the housing from the inlet portion, through the central portion, and through the outlet portion, the channel being adapted to convey water therein, the channel, in the a portion in the central portion of the housing forms a venturi; an air intake port in the central portion of the housing extending radially from the passage to the outer wall of the housing adapted to allow air to enter the passage through the air intake port; and an insert positioned within the inlet port. 2. The joint connector of claim 1, wherein said insert is in the form of a check valve that allows air to flow into said passage through said inlet port but restricts passage from said passage through said passage. return flow at the inlet port described above. 3. The joint connector of claim 2, wherein the check valve is a duckbill check valve. 4. The joint connector of claim 1, wherein the insert is adapted to reduce noise associated with passing water through the passageway to introduce air into the passageway. 5. The joint connector of claim 1, wherein the inlet port is transverse to the passage at the throat of the venturi. 6. The joint connector of claim 1, wherein the insert is resilient. 7. The joint connector of claim 1, wherein the insert is in the form of a sleeve. 8. The joint connector according to claim 1, wherein the inlet portion is provided with a flat area on an upper outer surface thereof, the flat area extending to the intake port. 9. The joint connector of claim 1, wherein the inlet portion is provided with internal threads. 10. The joint connector of claim 1, wherein the outlet portion is provided with a generally spherical outer portion. 11. A shower head assembly comprising a shower head mounted on the joint connector of claim 1.

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